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Composite Decking Ideas with Steps
Building a composite deck with steps can significantly enhance the charm and functionality of your outdoor space, but selecting the right design can be a daunting task.
To assist you, we've compiled a comprehensive guide filled with diverse composite decking ideas with steps. Here, you'll find insights into various styles, from the classic allure of closed deck stairs to the sleek appeal of open riser stairs.
Plus, we'll provide step-by-step instructions for constructing your deck, ensuring that your outdoor area is not only aesthetically pleasing but also practical and enjoyable.
What this article covers:- Composite Decking Steps Ideas
- Adding Lighting to Composite Decking Steps
- How to Build Steps with Composite Decking
Composite Decking Steps Ideas
Closed Deck Stairs
Closed deck stairs are a quintessential choice for those seeking a traditional and polished look. These stairs mirror the style of indoor staircases, with risers connecting each step to create a seamless appearance.
Their design offers a visually clean and finished aesthetic and enhances safety, making them an ideal choice for families with small children and pets. They align well with many local building codes, providing peace of mind regarding compliance.
Open Stringer Deck Stairs
Open stringer deck stairs are celebrated for their traditional charm and ease of maintenance. These stairs do not have fascia boards along the sides, which gives them a more open and airy feel.
The design feature where stair treads extend beyond the railings imparts an elegant and upscale touch, elevating the overall look of the deck.
This style is particularly favoured for its simplicity in upkeep, as it allows for easy sweeping and cleaning, making it a practical choice for many homeowners.
Wrap-Around Stairs
Wrap-around stairs are a fantastic way to create a sense of openness and expansiveness, particularly for decks that are closer to ground level. These stairs are also fantastic when it comes to composite decking ideas for small gardens because they maximise space.
These stairs wrap around the deck, providing a graceful and inviting transition to adjoining outdoor spaces like terraces, patios, or gardens. They are an excellent way to enhance the functionality of your deck, allowing for easy access from multiple points.
Plus, wrap-around stairs can significantly elevate the aesthetic appeal of even the most basic deck designs, adding a touch of sophistication and luxury.
Open Riser Deck Stairs
Open riser deck stairs are a budget-friendly and low-maintenance option that brings a contemporary edge to deck designs.
Characterized by the absence of risers, these stairs have visible gaps between each tread, contributing to a modern and minimalist look. This design allows for natural debris clearance and easy cleaning, making them a practical choice for many.
Adding Lighting to Composite Decking Steps
Incorporating lighting into your composite decking steps isn't just a stylish addition but also a crucial safety feature. Here are a few lighting ideas for your composite decking steps:
Post Cap lights
Post lights are mounted on the top of the railing posts and offer a higher level of illumination than riser lights. They are ideal for creating a welcoming ambience and can also serve as a design feature, highlighting the craftsmanship of your deck.
Under-Rail Lights
These lights are installed under the railing or the lip of the step, casting a downward glow onto the stairs. This type of lighting is particularly effective in accentuating the architectural details of the stairs while providing sufficient lighting for safe navigation.
Riser Lights
These are small, discreet lights installed on the vertical part of each step, known as the riser. Riser lights provide a gentle illumination that guides the way without being overpowering, making them perfect for evening use.
They add a subtle yet elegant touch to the stairs while ensuring visibility and safety during nighttime. The type of deck lighting used for riser lights can also be used on top of your deck or on your outdoor walls - feel free to get creative with it.
Accent Lights
Lastly, accent lights can be used to spotlight certain features of your deck stairs or to create a specific mood. These lights can be strategically placed to highlight textures, colours, or other design elements of your composite decking.
A stunning example of this is our strip lights, which you can use in the grooves of your decking.
Combination Lighting
When planning the lighting for your deck stairs, it's beneficial to consider combining different types of lights. This approach not only ensures ample illumination for safety but also allows you to play with light and shadow to create a visually appealing outdoor space.
Remember, the key is to balance functionality with style, ensuring your composite deck stairs are safe and inviting at any time of the day.
How to Build Steps with Composite Decking
Step 1: Gather Materials
This includes composite decking boards, which are the primary material for your steps, so be sure that you're happy with your colour schemes.
This is also the material you'll use for composite decking ideas for garden and can be used as outdoor flooring over dirt and corner garden decking.
You'll also need stringers, which are the structural support for the steps, and railings for safety and aesthetic purposes.
In terms of tools, make sure you have a saw for cutting the boards, a drill for assembling parts, a shovel for groundwork, and safety equipment like gloves and goggles. It's essential to have everything on hand to ensure a smooth and efficient building process.
Step 2: Mark The Installation Spot
The next step involves precise marking where the stringers will be attached to the decking and the ground. This step is critical for ensuring that your staircase is uniform and well-aligned.
Accurate measurements are key here; a small error in marking can lead to uneven steps, which can be a safety hazard and detract from the aesthetic appeal of your deck.
Step 3: Fix The Post
Using a shovel, dig holes at the marked spots for installing the posts. These posts are fundamental as they provide the necessary support for the stringers and railings.
It's important to use treated wood for these posts to ensure longevity and resistance to elements like moisture and termites. The depth and width of the holes should be sufficient to securely anchor the posts.
Step 4: Attach The Stringers
Once the posts are in place, attach the stringers to the decking, ensuring they extend to the ground. Stringers are vital as they determine the rise (height of each step) and run (depth of each step) of your staircase.
Proper alignment and secure attachment of the stringers are essential for the stability and safety of the steps.
Step 5: Install Composite Decking Boards
After the stringers are securely attached, begin installing the composite decking boards. These boards will form the treads of your steps. It's important to ensure that each board is level and securely fastened to prevent any movement or creaking.
The spacing between boards should be consistent for a uniform look and to allow for drainage and expansion.
Step 6: Install Railings
The final step is to install railings along the staircase for safety. If you haven't chosen a railing yet, be sure to check out our guide on composite decking balustrade ideas.
Railings are particularly important if the steps are high or if the deck is used by children or elderly individuals. Start by attaching railing posts at the appropriate spots outside the steps.
Then, add outdoor balustrades between the posts along the top and bottom rails. Ensure that the railings are sturdy and easy to grip. This not only adds a safety feature to your deck but also enhances its overall appearance.
Conclusion
Building a composite deck with steps can be a rewarding project, enhancing the beauty and functionality of your outdoor space. From our experience at Ovaeda, we recommend considering both aesthetics and practicality in your design choices.
Whether you opt for the elegance of closed deck stairs or the simplicity of open riser stairs, the key is to create a space that reflects your style and meets your needs.
And if you're looking to enhance your outdoor space, from decking frames to non slip composite decking, Ovaeda has you covered.
If you want to learn more, why not check out these articles below:
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- Best Price Composite Decking
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- Hollow vs Solid Composite Decking